Parametric optimization for adsorption of mercury (II) using self assembled bio-hybrid

Abstract A single step method (spray drying) was explored for the synthesis of nano silica- Saccharomyces cerevisiae bio-hybrid material (cells@SiO2) with the objective to create new technological solutions for water remediation. Synthesized bio-hybrid was characterized using techniques like SEM, BET, TGA and FTIR. Further, bio-hybrid was applied as sorbent for the removal of mercury (II) and showed rapid removal, with more than 98 ± 2% of total uptake in 30 min. The maximum sorption capacity (qmax) of Hg (II) at pH 6.5 and temperature 298 K was 185.19 mg g-1. The kinetic data of adsorption of Hg (II) are best described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters obtained from this study reveal an endothermic and spontaneous adsorption process. Present study suggests that bio-hybrid of nano silica-S. cerevisiae cells are useful for the efficient removal of mercury from liquid waste.